Prostaglandin E1 therapy for impotence, comparison with papaverine.
The efficacy of prostaglandin E1 as a pharmacological treatment of erectile dysfunction (impotence) was compared with the standard treatment, papaverine, in a single blind, crossover trial. A total of 129 impotent men received intracavernous injections of either prostaglandin E1 (5 micrograms) or papaverine (18 mg.) 1 month apart. Observations by 1 observer recorded 10 to 20 minutes after injection demonstrated that prostaglandin E1 generated a better erection in 72 men (55.8%) compared to papaverine. Papaverine was more effective than prostaglandin E1 in 23 men (17.8%, chi-square 6.26, p less than 0.025). Subjective assessment by the patients who detected a difference showed that 71 (55%) preferred prostaglandin E1 and 35 (27%) preferred papaverine (chi-square 11.56, p less than 0.001). A total of 34 men achieved full erections with prostaglandin E1 compared to 17 who used papaverine.
Earle
C M
CM
Reproductive Medicine Research Institute, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.
Keogh
E J
EJ
Wisniewski
Z S
ZS
Tulloch
A G
AG
Lord
D J
DJ
Watters
G R
GR
Glatthaar
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003075:Coitus; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010208:Papaverine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects*; D016037:Single-Blind Method
D010208:Papaverine; D000527:Alprostadil